Anglers James and Ray Caldwell receive a plaque from Tournament Director Jim Strader with Lou Gehrig’s likeness and words with their winning of the ALS Association’s “Fishing for a Cure” tournament on Saturday. Their five-bass limit totaled 20.15 pounds.

The Fishing for a Cure tournament brought professional anglers to Lake Barkley Marina last Saturday for great fishing and a great cause, seeking a cure for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis- known as ALS or commonly as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

Tournament Organizer Jim Strader said, “In early 2000, my wife was diagnosed with ALS. She died on December 17, 2002. I could not stand to see a perfectly healthy woman lose her life and do nothing. I called the ALS office to find out what I could do. We started the tournament in 2003, so this makes this one our sixth event.”

Strader added that the National ALS Association conducts three walks in the state as a primary fundraiser, though smaller events, like the tournament, increase awareness of the disease.

The disease takes its popular name from legendary New York Yankees First Baseman Lou Gehrig, who after setting a record for the number of consecutive games started, learned of a diagnosis of ALS in 1939. Gehrig lost his fight against the disease in 1941. Physicist Stephen Hawking of the UK received a diagnosis of ALS 45 years ago. Despite losing the ability to speak, walk and control his body, he has garnered numerous scientific awards and acclaim for his theories.

Taking home first prize for their stringer of five fish weighing in at 20.15 pounds were anglers Ray and James Cardwell.

Ray Cardwell praised the conditions at Lake Barkley, boasting a catch of 23 keepers during the day.